Find Our Latest Video Reviews on YouTube!
If you want to stay on top of all of our video reviews of the latest tech, be sure to check out and subscribe to the Gear Live YouTube channel, hosted by Andru Edwards! It’s free!
Latest Gear Live Videos
Netflix updates Xbox 360 app with contrast controls, better episode navigation
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Home Entertainment, Microsoft, Movies, Software,
For all those that use their Xbox 360 to stream Netflix, an update has been issued today to solve some (but definitely not all!) annoying issues and improve user experience.
You're now able to skip forward and backwards during play, allowing users to quickly change between movies and TV episodes. Users now will be able to zoom during play, turning letterboxed displays into full screen, and there are now contrast settings that allow you to tweak things to make colors more vivid, and blacks purer. For users outside the States, you’ll now have expanded and improved Facebook functionality connected via Facebook. The social functionality allows others to see what you watched and how you rated the shows.
If you’re wondering how to get the update, signing into your Xbox Live account and fire up your current Netflix app. You should get a notification that an update is available right away. If you’re not a Netflix user, when you decide the time is right to try Netflix, the most up-to-date software will be downloaded when you sign-up. Keep in mind in order to access Netflix through the Xbox 360, you need an Xbox Live Gold Account, broadband Internet, and an active Netflix membership.
Read More 
| Netflix
Gallery: Netflix updates Xbox 360 app with contrast controls, better episode navigation
Advertisement
Nokia Lumia 900 now available for pre-order, free to new AT&T customers!
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Hot Deals, Microsoft,
We've talked at length about how great we think Windows Phone 7 is, but regardless of how good it is, it hasn't translated into amazing sales. Microsoft hopes that changes on April 8th, as the company, along with Nokia and AT&T, are making a colossal bet on the Nokia Lumia 900 being the breakout device for Windows Phone. In fact, the phone just went on sale for pre-order today, and there are some great deals out there. First of all, the Lumia 900 is selling for $99 with two-year contract, which in and of itself is amazing. Further, if you pre-order from Walmart, you can get the device for $49.99 with two-year contract (online only.) Finally, if you're a new AT&T customer, you get a $100 rebate, making the phone free.
Customers who pre-order will have their Lumia 900 smartphones by April 6th, a full two days before they hit store shelves for the masses. Oh, and this is for the black and cyan models. The white Lumia 900 launches April 22. You just don't see deals like this right out of the gate for high-quality 4G LTE smartphones with 4.3-inch AMOLED displays and 8 megapixel auto-focus cameras with dual LED flash! If you're in the market for a new smartphone, you'll wanna take a long, hard look at this one. Pre-order at AT&T or Walmart.
Gallery: Nokia Lumia 900 now available for pre-order, free to new AT&T customers!
White Nokia Lumia 900 launching April 22
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Design, Microsoft,
The Nokia Lumia 900 is launching on April 8, and AT&T, Microsoft, and Nokia are gonna do everything possible to make sure you know about the amazing deal you're getting for the 4G LTE Windows Phone device at $99 (and we agree--it is a steal.) That said, if you want the striking white model (shown above,) you're gonna have to wait a couple weeks extra. The white Lumia 900 won't launch until April 22, a full two weeks after the black and cyan models hit the streets. Sure, it's a delay, but it's nowhere near as long a wait as white iPhone 4 customers had to deal with!
Gallery: White Nokia Lumia 900 launching April 22
Comcast Xfinity On Demand, HBO Go, MBL.tv now available on Xbox Live
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Home Entertainment, Microsoft, Video Games,
Finally, after a number of months, Xbox Live users now have access to Xfinity On Demand from Comcast, HBO Go, and MLB.tv. To get 'em, just head to the App Marketplace on your Xbox 360. All three apps require that you have access to, and pay for, the respective services. Comcast has announced that use of the Xfinity On Demand service will not count against a users data cap because the data is delivered over Comcast's private IP network, rather than the public Internet. It kind of makes sense, as Comcast is basically saying that the Xbox 360 is simply functioning as a cable box, but giving its own data preferential treatment does raise eyebrows as it pertains to Net Neutrality laws.
To use HBO Go, your cable service must be approved (sadly, the cable service we use at Gear Live HQ, Frontier, is not eligible) and you must subscribe to HBO service through your cable package.
Both Xfinity On Demand and HBO Go are available in the U.S., while MLB.tv can be accessed throughout North America.
Gallery: Comcast Xfinity On Demand, HBO Go, MBL.tv now available on Xbox Live
HTC Titan II set to release April 8th for $199.99
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Smartphones, Microsoft,
Alongside the Nokia Lumia 900 roll out next month, AT&T will be releasing the HTC Titan II on April 8th. Buyers will have the option of choosing two LTE Windows Phones on the same day. So you've got options if Windows is your flavor. A notable feature of the HTC Titan II is that it’ll have a 16 megapixel camera, so you can take high resolution photos to your hearts content. The price of the HTC Titan II is set at $199.99 with two-year contract, which is a hundred bucks more than the Nokia Lumia 900, which is set at $99.99.
Gallery: HTC Titan II set to release April 8th for $199.99
Nokia Lumia 900 Windows Phone launches April 8 for $99
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Hot Deals, Microsoft, Videos,
This morning, AT&T announced that the Nokia Lumia 900 Windows Phone will launch at just $99 on April 8th. This confirms the rumors that we've been hearing for over a month now, and puts a top-of-the-line, fantastic 4G LTE smartphone on the market at a price that all experts agree is a steal.
Seriously, with a two-year contract, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better deal on a smartphone. Windows Phone 7.5 is a great mobile operating system, the Lumia 900 is a beautiful device, and it's packing a great 4.3-inch display and 4G LTE speeds.
If you're gonna be looking for a new smartphone starting next month, do yourself a favor and at least research this phone. In fact, you can check it out in the video after the jump.
Click to continue reading Nokia Lumia 900 Windows Phone launches April 8 for $99
Gallery: Nokia Lumia 900 Windows Phone launches April 8 for $99
Sprint looking to roll out Windows Phone 8 LTE device?
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds, Microsoft, Rumors,
Sprint has recently announced that it plans on moving into the LTE market, finally recognizing that WiMAX isn't the place to be long-term. Now, don't get your hopes up of it launching anytime soon...you might want to sit back down and grab a cup of coffee and wait.
Sprint will be carrying a new LTE device powered by Qualcomm’s MSM8960 Snapdragon, however it remains a mystery as to which OEM will be producing the device. Our bet is that it will be Nokia, as Sprint is planning on adding a Windows Phone 8 device to its line up. Now given that info, since Windows 8 is set to release at the end of the year, we don’t except Sprint to roll out its LTE network until that timeframe, in limited markets.
Read More | SprintFeed
Gallery: Sprint looking to roll out Windows Phone 8 LTE device?
You’ve heard the buzz and most of you have followed it and it’s finally here; Windows 8 is finally available for a public download as a Consumer Preview. But before you facepalm yourself over the instructions and long tedious Microsoft installations we’re all used too, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Why? Because no external hard-drives, DVDs or USBs are needed; all you need is an Internet connection and you’re a few steps away from running Windows 8 on your PC! Thanks to the guys over at The Verge, just follow the instructions and the process shouldn't be too bad.
Read More | The Verge
Gallery: How to install Windows 8 Consumer Preview
Ford brings updated SYNC and MyFord Touch software update to 300,000 cars
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Corporate News, Microsoft, Software, Transportation,
Technology is a driving factor today for many purchases, and automotive purchases are no exception to this rule. Many of those that have purchased or have driven in a new Ford lately have noticed that the vehicle may have been equipped with MyFord Touch or Microsoft SYNC. Ford’s Partnership with the technology giant has proven to be a valuable investment, generating growing sales on a yearly basis. However, as we all know, the technology we bought two or more years ago can quickly get outdated. Ford acknowledges this, and is releasing a software update that will launch on the 2013 Ford Taurus and Flex, as well as seven other vehicles. Even better, they are releasing the same update for 300,000 current owners of older models as well.
Ford will begin mailing out the update shortly, which will be loaded on a USB drive with instructions; stopping by a dealership for installation is also an option. The update isn’t frivolous either, as it will consist of a smoother UI, enhanced voice recognition, and an enhanced visual experience allowing the user to navigate with ease. Furthermore, for vehicles equipped with a navigation unit, Ford will include a SD card with updated maps.
Click to continue reading Ford brings updated SYNC and MyFord Touch software update to 300,000 cars
Read More | Ford
Gallery: Ford brings updated SYNC and MyFord Touch software update to 300,000 cars
Download the Windows 8 Consumer Preview right now
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Microsoft, PC / Laptop, Software,
Today Microsoft released the Windows 8 Consumer Preview to the world, and it's been the talk of the day. Why? Well, Windows 8 is a huge departure from everything that Windows has ever been, and at the same time, it's very different than what you'd expect from OS X as well. Sure, both Mountain Lion and Windows 8 are super touch-centric, but Microsoft truly decided to come up with some new, innovative, and different techniques for the next major version of Windows, and now anyone can give it a try. A word of warning though--this is a preview in every sense of the word. If you prefer, we can call it a beta. This isn't final software, so don't expect it to be all buttery smooth. Still wanna try it though? Yeah, we thought so. Head on over to Microsoft to download it!
